Real Life Self Care for Busy Moms

I’ll be honest: I tend to look at most “self care for moms” posts with a bit of disbelief. I mean, they sound great, but seriously? I have yet to meet a mom who can realistically take time out for a spa day or take a whole weekend as “me time.”

I know I can’t. And even if I could, I probably wouldn’t know what to do with it!

I started thinking, though…there has to be some great (and realistic) ideas for self care for busy moms. It really is a thing, I promise! And as much as we tend to ignore it, taking a bit of time to do what renews you is necessary.

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You see, when you ignore the idea of self care – of doing something to renew and recharge yourself – eventually, you burn out. (Ask me how I know!) And when you burn out, you lose a very important part of yourself. You lose a bit of what makes you uniquely you – and what allows you to care for others (or at least to do so joyfully).

So, I went on a search for realistic ways to recharge, renew, and become “you” again, but that fit into your life. For me, that’s the most important part!

I hope you find these ideas to be as much of a blessing as I do. And as a special treat, there’s a free ebook of my favorite DIY coffee recipes at the end of the post – don’t miss it! (To me, a fun coffee drink that I don’t have to pay $7 for definitely qualifies as self care – and I have a feeling I’m not alone in that!)

Realistic Self Care Ideas for Busy Moms

I’m as much up for a spa day as anyone, but to me, allowing yourself time to renew shouldn’t be some huge production that you have to work to schedule in. And when you homeschool, work, or do any of the million and one things that moms tend to do, you need ideas that are flexible!

So, here are some of my favorite ways to unwind that are easy to work into my day. I think you’ll find a few that will work for you!

Read a Book Just for Fun

Ok, honest answer: when is the last time you read something just because you wanted to? When I look back over my years homeschooling my son, I realize that more often than not, I went for an entire year without reading one book that had nothing to do with a lesson plan.

Now, granted, I got the chance to read a lot of amazing titles. Many of them were books I wish I had read in school! But as much as I enjoyed them, there was a sense of “having” to read them.

I want to offer a bit of a fun challenge this year: read something just because you want to! Even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes a day, pick a title that just plain sounds good to you. Pick it up, read it, get lost in it, enjoy. You’ll be surprised what a treat it can be!

Start a Journal or Coloring Book

Whether you like to write, draw, or color, there are options out there that you’ll love.

If you enjoy writing or planning, a journal would be a great way for you to unwind and reflect. The nice thing about a journal (as opposed to social media) is that it’s just for you. You don’t have to put your most perfect side out for all the world to see…you can just be you.

If you love to track your goals and activities, a bullet journal might be the perfect choice for you! You can customize it any way you want, get creative with it, and really make it yours. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to do it, and it’s really fun to look back on!

And if you enjoy drawing, coloring, and just being creative, an adult coloring book is a fantastic way to just have fun. Grab a few colored pencils or skinny markers and show your artistic side!

Try a New Recipe

This is one of my favorite self care tactics because it’s just so easy to work in! Sometimes I’ll try a new Instant Pot recipe (because let’s face it, it’s both fun and fast), and sometimes I’ll get creative with a new dessert idea. Sometimes, I’ll bring my son in on it and we’ll have fun cooking together!

If your kids enjoy cooking, you can take it even further! Challenge them to a cooking competition and see who can come up with the best dish!

Learn a New Craft

This one obviously has its seasons, but when it fits your schedule, it can be a wonderful way to get away from your crazy schedule and find a new outlet. Whether you learn from a friend or family member, take a class at a local shop, or take an online course, dig in and have fun!

Take a Few Minutes and Just Relax

Sometimes, I’ll just make myself a cup of coffee, head out to the porch, and just enjoy the breeze. It doesn’t take long, but it makes me feel so much better! A few minutes of sipping my coffee and watching the world go by is often enough to give me a whole new perspective.

It’s amazing what a simple treat can do!

So what ideas would you add to this list? I’d love to know – feel free to comment below!

And remember to grab your free ebook below – it’s got some of my favorite recipes for fun coffee drinks! It’s a great way to treat yourself any time. Enjoy!

Just click on the image above to subscribe and receive your free ebook!